The Galaxy Clique, Offa, in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, has reiterated its commitment to promoting physical and mental wellness among the people.

The Chairman of the Club, Lukman Popoola, made this known during the 5th Annual Colloquium and Commissioning of the Behavioural Center donated by the Club to the Offa General Hospital on Thursday.

Popoola explained that the aim of donating the Behavioural Center is to address critical health challenges, including the rising cases of kidney disease, while enhancing healthcare access in the community. He emphasized the need for urgent attention to kidney disease, describing it as a significant public health issue.

According to him, �The topic of today, 'The Burden of Kidney Disease,' is apt and worth discussing. Many families in our community have lost loved ones to this ailment.

�This facility will serve as a means of combating this challenge and improving health outcomes,� he stated.

Popoola also raised concerns about the growing menace of drug abuse among youths, linking it to increasing societal insecurity.

�Through our annual colloquium, we engaged stakeholders and experts to brainstorm on pressing societal issues. In one of our recent sessions, we addressed the menace of drugs and its impact on insecurity. Our goal is to create awareness and guide our youths toward a more productive path,� he added.

The club chairman expressed gratitude to the Kwara State Government, the State Hospital Management Board, and other partners for their support in making the project a reality.

Delivering a lecture titled: �Kidney Disease: A Growing Concern in Nigeria� at the event, Professor Timothy Olanrewaju, a consultant Physician and Nephrologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, highlighted the alarming prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Nigeria, where it affects an estimated 12�20 per cent of the population.

He noted that CKD remains a leading cause of death, especially among young, productive Nigerians, due to limited access to affordable treatment.

�Kidney disease is prevalent worldwide, and it affects all age groups, although it is common in older age groups. Early detection and treatment can save lives and reduce the financial strain on families,� the professor noted.

He called for increased public awareness, early screening, and the integration of kidney care into the National Health Insurance Scheme to address the growing burden of the disease.

In his remarks, the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, commended the Galaxy Clique for its role in improving community healthcare.

AbdulRazaq pointed out a similar initiative by the state government, the �Project Ten Million,� which has screened over 100,000 residents for hypertension and diabetes�key risk factors for kidney disease.

He urged residents to seek hospital care rather than relying on traditional remedies like induced by herbs popularly called in Yoruba parlance, 'agbo.'

�There are multiple studies showing that 'agbo' may not be safe for long-term use. Please, when you feel unwell, come to the hospital,� he advised.

She encouraged residents to prioritise regular health screenings and purchase affordable health insurance for just N15,000 per year.

The governor commended the self-help projects of the people of Offa, adding that �Offa is used to self-development and it is the leader in self-help projects in the state.�

He also announced plans to support the Offa General Hospital with solar power installations and renovations to improve healthcare delivery in the state.